A theatrical version of Initial D is confirmed for release in August 2014. [Official Thread]

UPDATES : Animax has confirmed that Final Stage will be available on its subscription-based VOD (Video On Demand) service starting May 16th, 2014. It will continue where Fifth Stage left off. Consist of a total of four episodes, Final Stage will be focusing on the long-awaited final 86 vs 86 battle between Takumi and Shinji. [confirmed]

UPDATES : Avex has confirmed that the New Initial D The Movie will be a trilogy. First part of the trilogy is called Legend 1 -Awakening- slated for release in theaters on August 23rd, 2014 (Japan Only) [confirmed]

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The first and only version(?) of Initial D that I've experienced is Arcade Stage, started by grabbing some random racing games at the arcades.Now I'm being curious on how the story goes on, but the arcade stage actually won't help me understand it. So I wonder if watching some anime would help me.

You can understand the story just fine by watching the anime, yeah (with the exception of one or two plot holes that only the original manga explains).The main story of the anime is divided into 6 different things: First Stage, Second Stage, Third Stage, Fourth Stage, Fifth Stage and Final Stage.There are the side-stories Extra Stage and Extra Stage 2, but they're not important to the overall plot.First Stage is good, but you'll have to be prepared for some inconsistent artwork and very primitive 3DCG. Third Stage and Fourth Stage are where the anime hits its peak. And Fifth Stage is where the series starts to decline, but you might be able to enjoy parts of it if you keep your expectations low.

And there, that's all the info you need.

There are also the new Initial D Legend movies, which retell the events of First Stage with new animation and small changes to the story. I find First Stage to be much better than these movies, but you can watch them if you want to get through the story quicker.

You can understand the story just fine by watching the anime, yeah (with the exception of one or two plot holes that only the original manga explains).The main story of the anime is divided into 6 different things: First Stage, Second Stage, Third Stage, Fourth Stage, Fifth Stage and Final Stage.There are the side-stories Extra Stage and Extra Stage 2, but they're not important to the overall plot.First Stage is good, but you'll have to be prepared for some inconsistent artwork and very primitive 3DCG. Third Stage and Fourth Stage are where the anime hits its peak. And Fifth Stage is where the series starts to decline, but you might be able to enjoy parts of it if you keep your expectations low.

And there, that's all the info you need.

There are also the new Initial D Legend movies, which retell the events of First Stage with new animation and small changes to the story. I find First Stage to be much better than these movies, but you can watch them if you want to get through the story quicker.

So you mean that the movie is kind of like a shortcut of an anime? Cuz I haven't got much time to watch anime these days so I think I might wanna get it quick.

So you mean that the movie is kind of like a shortcut of an anime? Cuz I haven't got much time to watch anime these days so I think I might wanna get it quick.

The three Legend movies are rewrites of First Stage. They essentially cover all the important points of what happens in First Stage.

However, if you want to understand the overall story, then that leaves Second Stage, Extra Stage, Third Stage, Fourth Stage, Extra Stage 2, Fifth Stage and Final Stage...all of which have a different voice cast from the Legend movies. If you don't mind that, then yes, you can pretty much watch the Legend trilogy and then move on to the rest I suppose.